SOUTH SOMERSET NEWS: District council chief exec to head back to East Devon

THE chief executive of South Somerset District Council is set to return to his full-time position with neighbouring East Devon District Council.

Back in 2010 South Somerset council entered into a formal arrangement with East Devon District Council to share the services of one full-time chief executive officer.

For SSDC this was part of a process of increasing the efficiency of the council and reducing management costs whilst maintaining high service standards.

The arrangement involved East Devon contracting with South Somerset for the provision of CEO services, subject to review and notice.

PHOTO - TOP: Chief executive Mark Williams.

Part of the CEO’s role over these past five years has been to improve the efficiency of the organisation as well as to nurture senior level talent at SSDC.

A SSDC statement today said: “This has been achieved and our recent award of Investors in People Gold accreditation is a visible demonstration of this.

“It is now felt that the organisation has matured to the point at which a further step change can be made, enabling chief executive Mark Williams to return to his role in East Devon.

“This comes at a time when Local Authorities across the UK still face some significant saving targets in order to balance the books as part of the austerity programme and the Government’s continuing drive to reduce public sector bills.”

A recommendation to provide the required contractual notice to East Devon will be made to the next Full Council meeting on May 21, 2015.

Should the recommendation be approved by council members, joint discussions with East Devon District Council will then immediately take place relating to the notice period and termination of the contract.

South Somerset District Council continues to hold the provision of first class services to the public as its highest priority.

A council spokesman added: “Clearly we cannot comment any more until we know the decision of full Council.”

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